I grew up in a small rural village that was made up of two social groups...... The people that had always lived their (mainly farming community) / families living in the council/rented properties and the newer influx of the townies (when country living suddenly became fashionable in the 90's.) the kids that had always been there carried on as always.... Money for our parents was a struggle etc but no one had that thing of wanting what everyone else had, holidays were staying in a caravan somewhere, if you wanted money you got a paper round etc etc the other group on the other hand.... Most went to the posh private schools nearby, had every toy growing up, went on luxury holidays, were bought a brand new car at 17 etc etc (although we did all hang out together)

I am now in my 30's and nearly all of the kids that grew up less privileged funded their own way through university, have successful jobs and family lives. The others..... It's crazy the amount of them that are total dossers that still live at home sucking money out of their parents. Quite a few of them went majorly off the rails and got drug problems. They grew up thinking the world owed them something. Sometimes growing up knowing to appreciate things is far better than being given everything on a plate.

Your SIL sounds like a nightmare but I totally understand how you feel when the green eyed monster creeps in. The other thing about the village.... The couples in the big grand houses are always having affairs with each other but put on a show of "look how wonderful our lives are" I believe that if you need to 'show' how wonderful you are by putting others down means that there is something majorly lacking in their own life and they do this to make themselves feel better.

Don't engage with the whole 'what your kids got for Easter@ crap. Don't respond or if you do follow Minieggs advice, tell her what you want her to know.It's not compulsory to discuss your life with those that make make you feel inadequate, just 'cos they want you to.

I often wonder the mentality behind people like your SIL, and the woman that I know. All I can think is that they must have very low self esteem and just be willing to say/do anything to make themselves feel superior. I wonder too how they make/keep friends, as I would never be close friends with anyone like that, yet some people seem totally in awe of that type of person.

You could be really horrible and show her lots of fake sympathy, make her cups of tea and tell her you'll always be there for her if she needs someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on. When she asks why just say you think she must be feeling unwell as she has been talking a lot lately about her daughter inheriting from her, tell her you can also tell she's under a lot of stress as she seems to be second guessing and worrying about her parenting decisions. Then whenever she mentions something braggy you can just respond with oh, don't worry, I'm,sure everything will turn out fine with a smile full of fake sympathy. It's evil and not a nice way to behave but it's guaranteed to drive her round the bend as the last thing people like this want is to be an object of pity!

Also you both don't know what life will throw at you and your DD's. At the very least it's quite possible that the assets of her home will be spent at some point either as business collateral or to pay for care in her or partner's old age.Can you widen your circle of friends so that her influence in your life becomes naturally less, and you have other more genuine friends to share the joys of parenthood with ?

My husband has the answer to this (wily Scot) and he competes, but to demean himself. If someone asks him about his new car, he says, "Oh, it's an old banger, yours is a proper car". If asked about Christmas presents he replies, "Usual socks and rubbish, I am sure you got something much, much nicer".

He would reply to your SiL, by saying, "Not much really, I am sure your DD had a far more exciting Easter.

It wrong foots them every time. They suspect sarcasm but, outwardly, you are agreeing that they are better than you. They can only reply by DEFENDING your choices and that really, really hurts.

If you find it dificult to be assertive around her, whenever she tries to get all competitive and whenever you anticipate that she is going to put you in a corner where you will have start justifying yourself or saying things you are not comfortable with, just smile blankly and nod, smile and nod, smile and nod, and change the subject. This is failsafe. She'll soon learn not to try.

or what oldbagwnatsnewbag said. Smile and nod, and say something meaningless like 'that's nice'. If you adopt this mantra she'll soon see that you're not impressed and unwlling to engage in this pathetic banter.

All the value of your SIL's house may go into paying for her care home fees in years to come, your situation may improve dramatically. Unless you are verywealthy these days I would say there are no guarantees that children will inherit their parent's houses/savings.